We know it’s not feasible for everyone to have a nutrition coach, so we created the DIY Macro Challenge to give you all the tools you need to take control of your nutrition on your own terms. The goal was not to create a quick weight loss challenge, but to provide an opportunity to challenge yourself to build the habits necessary to create long term, sustainable change and give you the tools to make those changes happen. As coaches, we found it important to follow along with the challenge and this week’s post is about sharing our experiences with you.

Most of us have lived for years believing that the key to successful fat loss is willpower.

If we just resist our cravings and suppress our hunger, we will be successful dieters. If we just stick to our plan, eat the same food every day, and say no to every treat and drink offered, we will finally lose that weight.

That’s not the case.

The fitness industry thrives on quick fixes. From challenges promising you’ll “lose ten pounds in a week” and “melt fat in 21 days” to fitness products guaranteeing a six-pack overnight. But here’s the problem: quick fixes turn us into quitters. We don’t need short timelines and restrictive rules; creating lasting change requires knowledge and skills that allow you to make small changes, consistently, over time.